Great to see your work again! I've been reading your blog for quite some time, and we've occasionally encountered each other on Instagram I believe ... But I think SubStack seems to be a good new place for sharing and connecting, and I'm very excited to read about this excellent and timely project. May it be resplendent!
You know, I was reading blog posts of yours, among others, in 2019 when I went on a transformative retreat in Béara ... It has completely changed the direction of my life and work, gradually and then all at once. I was researching the Cailleach, and went on pilgrimage to Her Place there, on the headland ... It inspired poetry, stories, changes in career, moving house ... And you and your work were there with me. It was part of a shift in my life; it's how I feel men can engage with your work here, and the figure of the Cailleach more generally. I realised that I had so often looked to men as elders and mentors, but that my life and heart were moving me more towards asking for elder women to guide me, to advise me, to help me on my way. It's something that we do not practice enough: men must realise that they can look to a woman as an Elder, without casting here as a Mother or caretaker. No. We must look to her as wise, as powerful, as sovereign. It is only through her that we can fully become. I'm not sure if it's ... polite?... to post links in a comment here? But please let me know. I'd love to share with you and others a couple of little pieces of my journey with Her ... (can you ask me to delete the lunks if it's not okay? I'm totally happy to ...)
Blessings of the Returning Sun to you and yours, and to all of your readers!
I hope you have a happy new year and good luck with your project.
Here's something I'd like your thoughts on.
I see Oweynagat as a place of secret women's business, just like Aborigines have such places here in Australia. Men are not allowed at such places and they are chased away either by the women or by bad luck that it brings upon them.
I've never been inside the Cave of the Cats but regard it as the most underrated place of spiritual significance in Ireland.
But just because I think it should be for women only, doesn't count for much :)
But do you see the cave as a place where men should be discouraged from entering?
Great stuff! I subscribed and want to send along some support soon after I've transitioned back to work this winter. I wrote a novel titled Thief of Tales (written under the pseudonym SA O'Hungerdell) that might interest you, which relates to some of the main themes discussed in your site, and includes a revisitation of The Hag of Beara. If you ever took a look at it I would love your feedback. Peace- Steve Harrington
Dear Ali,
Great to see your work again! I've been reading your blog for quite some time, and we've occasionally encountered each other on Instagram I believe ... But I think SubStack seems to be a good new place for sharing and connecting, and I'm very excited to read about this excellent and timely project. May it be resplendent!
You know, I was reading blog posts of yours, among others, in 2019 when I went on a transformative retreat in Béara ... It has completely changed the direction of my life and work, gradually and then all at once. I was researching the Cailleach, and went on pilgrimage to Her Place there, on the headland ... It inspired poetry, stories, changes in career, moving house ... And you and your work were there with me. It was part of a shift in my life; it's how I feel men can engage with your work here, and the figure of the Cailleach more generally. I realised that I had so often looked to men as elders and mentors, but that my life and heart were moving me more towards asking for elder women to guide me, to advise me, to help me on my way. It's something that we do not practice enough: men must realise that they can look to a woman as an Elder, without casting here as a Mother or caretaker. No. We must look to her as wise, as powerful, as sovereign. It is only through her that we can fully become. I'm not sure if it's ... polite?... to post links in a comment here? But please let me know. I'd love to share with you and others a couple of little pieces of my journey with Her ... (can you ask me to delete the lunks if it's not okay? I'm totally happy to ...)
Blessings of the Returning Sun to you and yours, and to all of your readers!
https://thehollowbehindthehearthstone.com/cailleach-bheara-wise-woman/
https://thehollowbehindthehearthstone.com/a-page-from-the-leabhar-draiocht-pilgrimage-to-cloch-na-cailli-bheara-the-hag-stone-of-beara/
https://thehollowbehindthehearthstone.com/hypnagogia/
Hi Ali,
I hope you have a happy new year and good luck with your project.
Here's something I'd like your thoughts on.
I see Oweynagat as a place of secret women's business, just like Aborigines have such places here in Australia. Men are not allowed at such places and they are chased away either by the women or by bad luck that it brings upon them.
I've never been inside the Cave of the Cats but regard it as the most underrated place of spiritual significance in Ireland.
But just because I think it should be for women only, doesn't count for much :)
But do you see the cave as a place where men should be discouraged from entering?
Great stuff! I subscribed and want to send along some support soon after I've transitioned back to work this winter. I wrote a novel titled Thief of Tales (written under the pseudonym SA O'Hungerdell) that might interest you, which relates to some of the main themes discussed in your site, and includes a revisitation of The Hag of Beara. If you ever took a look at it I would love your feedback. Peace- Steve Harrington